Deputy Prime Minister, Health Minister Charnvirakul quarantined himself, among 29 members of parliament to be tested due to contact with people infected with nCoV.

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced today that he would quarantine himself for two weeks after being in contact with a provincial governor confirmed to have Covid-19.

The news comes after Thai authorities recorded an additional 144 new nCoV infections within 24 hours, amid two more outbreaks linked to outbreaks at a shrimp market outside Bangkok this week.

More than 1,300 cases were reported in just the past 10 days in Thailand, the country having recorded only about 5,000 cases before December 17.

Bangkok officials have banned all betting facilities, while bars and nightclubs will have to close at midnight.

A seafood phobia is occurring across Thailand, coupled with fear and disdain for migrant workers from Myanmar, who are accused of being the source of nCoV infection in Samut Sakhon province.

An outbreak of nCoV infections in Thailand comes as the country seeks to revive the tourism industry that has been severely hit by the pandemic.